High blood pressure, medically known as hypertension, refers to a condition wherein the force exerted by your blood against the walls of your arteries is 140/90mmHg or higher.

According to WHO data,1.23billion adults worldwide have high blood pressure, and 46% aren't even aware of their condition. [1] High blood pressure develops slowly for years and years without showing any symptoms, consequently leading to serious health conditions. But don't worry, making some changes to your diet and lifestyle can actually help you manage high blood pressure.

This article will guide you about health threats from high blood pressure, its prevention, and management.

Following are some serious health threats to your body caused by persistent and uncontrolled high blood pressure: [2] 

Damage to Arteries

Normal arteries are elastic, strong, and flexible. Blood flows through arteries very smoothly, thus, supplying the vital internal organs with nutrition. Prolonged high blood pressure can cause:

●Aneurysm: Constant blood flow pressure can cause an artery's weakened section to enlarge and form a bulge called an aneurysm. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding.

●Narrowed arteries: The lining of your artery walls is damaged by high BP. When you eat a lot of fatty food, these fat cells accumulate in arteries and reduce the elasticity of artery walls. In this way, blood flow to vital organs is restricted. 

Damage to Heart

This is how prolonged high BP damages your heart:

●Heart attack: Special "coronary arteries" supply blood to the heart. High blood pressure can damage these arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart. The heart's pumping function is compromised, leading to heart attack and Angina.

●Left enlarged heart: Your heart has to pump harder to supply blood throughout the body if you have high BP. This extra strain on the heart causes the left ventricle to become thicker and enlarged.

●Heart failure: High BP weakens the heart muscles by putting a lot of strain on the heart. Consequently, the heart is incapable of functioning properly, resulting in heart failure.

Damage to Brain

The brain needs a continuous blood supply to perform its functions smoothly. However, high blood pressure affects the brain resulting in different conditions.

●Stroke: A persistent high BP can harm the arteries in your brain and make them narrower. This leads to a reduced supply of blood to the brain, which ultimately causes a stroke.

●Dementia: When the arteries in the brain become narrowed or blocked, it can create difficulties in the flow of blood. This can contribute to a particular type of dementia known as vascular dementia. Furthermore, if a stroke occurs and disrupts the blood flow to the brain, it can also lead to the development of vascular dementia. 

Damage to Kidneys

Your kidneys are also damaged by high BP. If you also have diabetes, the damage can be even worse. Here are some kidney problems that can be caused by high blood pressure:

●Kidney scarring: This happens when the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys develop scars.

●Kidney failure: When there is scarring in the kidneys, it can interfere with their normal functioning. 

Damage to Eyes

High BP damages your blood vessels in eyes resulting in vision loss. [3] 

Sexual dysfunction

High blood pressure reduces libido in men leading to erectile dysfunction. 

You don't need to go to the hospital immediately if you have high blood pressure (140/90mmHg). Just have some rest and take the prescribed medicine.

However, a hypertensive emergency occurs when there's a sudden rise in your blood pressure up to 180/120mmHg or more. [4] It is accompanied by severe chest pain, throbbing headache, nausea, or vomiting. In this case, you should call 911 immediately. 

The best way to protect yourself from high blood pressure is to learn how to manage and prevent this condition.

1.Regular Monitoring: Measure your blood pressure regularly to keep track of any changes. You can use CheckMe BP2A blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure accurately and easily.

2.Medication Adherence: If prescribed medication by your doctor, take it as directed and do not skip doses. Follow up with your healthcare provider regularly.

3.Healthy Diet: Follow a balanced diet low in sodium (salt), saturated fats, and cholesterol. Include vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

4.Exercise Regularly: Engage in physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week. Incorporate aerobic exercises into your routine, such as cycling, brisk walking, or swimming.

5.Weight Management: Losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce blood pressure.

6.Limit Alcohol Consumption: Repeated alcohol consumption causes a consistent rise in blood pressure.

7.Quit Smoking: It increases your blood pressure and harms your blood vessels.

8.Reduce Stress: Find healthy ways to reduce your stress.

9.Limit Caffeine: Monitor caffeine consumption, as it can temporarily raise your blood pressure. Consider switching to decaffeinated beverages.

10.Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water daily to maintain proper hydration.

References:

1.World Health Organization. (n.d.-b). Hypertension. World Health Organization. 

2.Fuchs, F. D., & Whelton, P. K. (2020). High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease. Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979), 75(2), 285–292. 

3.Bhargava, M., Ikram, M. K., & Wong, T. Y. (2012). How does hypertension affect your eyes?. Journal of human hypertension, 26(2), 71–83. 

4.Rodriguez, M. A., Kumar, S. K., & De Caro, M. (2010). Hypertensive crisis. Cardiology in review, 18(2), 102–107.